Fuel feeding mechanism



Jan. 14, 1947. D M PALM 2,414,209

FUEL FEEDING MECHNISM Filed Nov. 27, 194s :s sheets-sheet- 1 II-VENTOR.'DWIGHT MfPALM.

Jam 14, 1947.( D NL- PALM FUELFEEDING MECHANISM Filed Nov.` 27, 1943 5Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

Jan.14,1947. D M PALM 2,414,209

FUEL FEEDING MCHANISM Filed Nov. `1945 s sheets-sheet 5 nas.

INVENTOR,

DWIGHT MPAL M.

Patented Jan. 14, 194'? UNITED 'STATES PATENT OFFICE `FUEL resumoMEcHeNIsM Dwight M. Palm, Cleve-lana Heights, ohio Application November,27, '1043, serial No. 512,076

3 Claims.

l This invention relates to mechanism for supplying hard fuel to acombustion apparatus, more `particularly apparatus of the type whereinthe supply and feeding of the fuel into the combustion chamber of theapparatus takes place through upper and lower chambers having valvecontrolled openings, which valves are separately but co-fordinatelycontrolled and operated to prevent the escape of gases and other residueof,

with fresh fuel.

One object of the invention is to provide an. improved mechanism of thischaracter wherein the number of parts are reduced and simplifiedinconstruction and fewer movable parts are required, whereby cost ofconstruction, operation and up-keep is materially reduced and long lifeofthe mechanism results,

Another object of the invention is to provideY in mechanism of this typehaving upper and lower valves, improved means for operating the valvesin any desired co-ordinated-relation.

Another object of the invention is to provideyin mechanism of this type'having upper and i.

lower valves, an improved operating means therefor which may be remotelycontrolled.

Another object of the invention is to provide cui fin mechanism of thistype having upper andg,

lower valves, improved means for automatically" 'controlling theoperation of the valves dependent upon the rise and fall of thetemperature inthe apparatus.

Another objectfof the invention is to provide,

in mechanism of this type having upper and lower fuel feeding chambersand valves therefor, improved means for operating the valves incoordinated relation and supplying fuel to the upper chamber.

Another object of the invention is .to provide Van improved mechanism ofthis type having upper and lower valve controlled chambers and fluidoperated means for operating the valves therefor in co-ordinatedrelation.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved mechanism ofthis type constructed Ato provide for ready cooling of the valve which.is subject to the heat generated in the combustion apparatus. 1

Other objects of the invention'will'be apparent l(parts being brokenaway) showing 2 to those skilled in the art to which my inventionrelates from the following description taken in connection .with theaccompanying drawings,

" wherein Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a mechanism embodying myinvention. t

Fig. 2 is a side elevation, parts being broken away.

.its lower end an annular flange la supported on and secured tothe-annular flange on the upper end of a suitablegas producer, indicatedat A, having a flue a` for the out-take of the'gases. The upper end ofthe Acasing is shaped to provide an off-set section Ib in connectedrelation to a chute lc, the intake opening of which is related to thedischarge opening of a hopper B, which opening is controlled by a slidevalve b. The walls of the off-set section lb and a valve` device 2therewithin control the feed of the fuel C from Nthe chute Ic, as laterset forth. Above the flange la, the inner wall of the casing I isprovided interiorly with spaced, annular, inwardly extending walls 3,the inner peripheries of which have a common axis and form seats Za forvalves 4, 4a, When the valves 4, 4a,` are in closed position, theycci-operate with the adjacent annular walls 3, to form upper and lowerclosed compartments 5,`5a, the upper compartment E being incommunication with the off-set section lb so as to receive fuel Ctherefrom; but ,when either valve is opened the fuel in the adjacentcom# ypartment gravitates downwardly. if the valve '4 is operated toopen position, any fuel in the compartment 5 will gravitate into theAccordingly,

surfaces are dome-shaped and the upper surV faces of the annular wallslSare inclined down'- wardly and inwardly, whereby gravitation .of fuelfrom each compartment is facilitated. As shown each` wall 3` isOfsectional"construction, so that its inner marginal portion may consistof an annular ring 2a formed of a heat resisting a rocker fulcrumed on astandard I4 fixedly alloy, removably secured to the walls in any mountedon thetop wall Id. The rod I2a has suitable manner. pivotal and slidableconnection with the outer The side walls of the casing below the comendof the rocker I3 by means of a pin and an partment 5a, between thecompartments 5, 5a, 5V elongated sl-ot I2b therefor formed in therocker, andv above the upper compartment 5 may be to permit endwisemovement of the rod and formed with one or more openings 5b, each closedswinging movement of the rocker; the connecby a plate which may beremovably bolted in tion vbetween the upper end of the rod 8 and innerposition or otherwise mounted on the casing wall. end of the rocker i3is of :similar character. The

The valves .4, 4a are supported in axial aline- 10 lower end of thecylinder `I2 is provided with ment and operated vertically,,'reCtiIineally, a port connected to aA pipe I5 through which wherebytheir upper walls engage and disengage steam is supplied (preferably ata predetermined the valve seats uniformly throughout their cirpressure,as later setforth) to the cylinder I2 cumferences, which arrangementprevents unbelowthe piston I2a and exhausted therefrom,

even wear on these seats on the one hand and the supply and exhaustbeing controlled by a on the other hand tends to insure tight Vcloslflervalve mechanism, indicated as 'an entirety at I6. of the valves so'thatleakage of gases of com- As will 'be observed, when steam is supplied t0bustion and soot upwardly into they casing is the cylinder to effectpressure on the piston, the

minimized and danger of ingredients in the gases rod I2a is operatedupwardly and through the and soot clogging'the mechanism is avoided. 20rocker i3 moves the rod t downwardly to open The top Well id Of theCasing i iS thickened the valve-4a (see dottedlinesin 3). The uptoprovide a relatively long hollow Iboss Id the per end of the cylinder I2is provided with a ax's of which is axially related to the axes of thevent II to permit displacement of air when the walls 3. 6 indicates anelongated bushing suitpiston I2a is operated upwardly. Below the ablytted in the boss Id and slidably supportcylinder I2, the rod I2a isprovided with a collar ing a sleeve 'I, the latter extending downwardlyi8, preferably formed integrally on the upper end through thecompartment 5 and preferably rigidof a sleeve Il'a, which may be securedto the 1y connected at its lower end to the valve 4. 3 inrod I2a in amanner which permits endwise addicates a rod (which is preferably hollowfor justment thereof. The collar I 8 forms an abuta purpose later setforth) slidably fitting the ment for a spring I9 coiled around the rodI2a sleeve 'I and extending therethrough, and and interposed between thecollar I8 and lower through the valve 4 and compartment 5a and end 0fthe cylinder I2 and arranged to be compreferably rigidly connected atits lower end t0 pressed when the rod I2a moves upwardly, so

the valve 4a. In this arrangement, the valves that when the steam supplyto the cylinder I2 4, 4G, are DOSitl/'ely 'guided from and t0 their 35is cut ofi', and pressure on the piston I 2a reseats in each operationthereof. 'The sleeve 'i 11er/ed, the Spring I9 operates te more the redand the rod 8 extend upwardly beyond the top I2a downwardly to close thevalve da. A stop wall Id and arel OperatiVGly COHIleCted t0 an indicatedat I 2e is provided to limit the down- OPSrating mechanism, indicated asan entirety ward movement of the piston so that when the at 9, forintermittently reciprocating the sleeve 40 piston is moved downwardly teits normal pesi- 'I and rod 8 each relative to the other in co-ordition,it is above the steam inlet and exhaust Dated relation, whereby duringthe peIOd that port, for the pipe l5- The Stop [2e as shown the valve 4is closed, the valve 4d Opens t0 Permit consists of an annular shoulderprovided in the gravitation of the fuel in the compartment 5d cylinderby reducing its lower end (see Fig. 2). into the producer` A and closes,and during the The sleeve Ia is preferably adjustably xed to DelOd thatthe valve 4a is closed the valve 4 the rod I2a at a predeterminedposition so that opens t0 permit gravitation of the fuel in the when thevalve la engages its seat the spring compartment 5 into theCOmpaltmel'lt 5a and I9 is under slight tension, the effect of whichcloses; also, during the operation of the Valve is to seal the valve 4ain Closed position. lz 4a to open and closed position (at which time 50indicates a cylinder suitably supported on and the valve 4 s closed) theagitating or valve deexteriorly of the casing I, preferably indiametrivice 2 is operated, as later set forth, t0 supply cal relationto the cylinder I2. 20 indicates a fresh fuel t0 the COmPaItment 5- Theaetathg rod reciprocatably mounted in the end walls of device 2 ispreferably operatively Connected te the cylinder 12x and extending to apoint therethe `mechanism 9 for co-ordinated operation 55 above andtherebelow and provided within the therewith during the opening andclosing of the cylinder I2cc with a piston similar to the piston valve4a, by mechanism indicated as an entirety I2a normally disposed adjacentthe lower end at I0, to which reference will later be made. thereof. Theupper end of the rod 2i! is con- The mechanism 9, as Shown in Figs. 1 t05, nected through linkage I3x to the upper end of inclusive, is fluidoperated; that is, it may be the sleeve I, preferably consisting of arocker operated by air or oil supplied under pressure, fulcrumed on ,astandard I 4x, which is xedly but for illustrative purposes I use steamsupplied supported on the top wall Id. as hereafter set forth by a pipeII. The mech- The inner end of the rocker |332 is provided anism 9consists of the following: I2 indicates with bifurcations which arepivotally connected a cylinder suitably supported at one side of and tobifurcations provided on the upper endy of the eXteriOrly of the casingI. I2a indicates a rod sleeve 'I, whereby these parts straddle therocker reciprocatably mounted in the end walls of 'the I3 vand rod I2aand lthe connections therebecylinder I2 and extending to a pointthereabove tween. The upper end of the rod 20 and adand therebelow andprovided within the cylinder jacent end of the rocker are pivotally andslidwith a piston I2a (see Fig. 2) normally dis- 70 ably connected bymeans of a pin and an elonposed adjacent the lower end thereof. Thelower gated slot 25a formed in the rocker and each end of the rod I2ahas sliding support in a lbifurcation on the inner end of the rocker I3xbracket I2. The upper end of the rod I2a is is similarly connected tothe adjacent bifurcaconnected through a linkage I3 to the upper end tionon the sleeve 'I to permit endwise moveof the rod 81 the linkagepreferably consisting of 7.5 ment of the rod and sleeve 4and swinging.move'- ment ofthe rocker. The lower end ofthe cylin-v der I 2o: isprovided with a port connected to a pipe I 5a through which steam issupplied (preferablyat a predetermined pressure, as later set forth) tothe cylinder |21: below the piston therein and exhausted therefrom, thesupply and eX- haust being controlled by the valve mechanism I6. As willbe observed, when steam is supplied to the cylinder |2 to effectpressure on the piston therein, the rod V2|] is operated upwardly andthrough the rocker |3 moves the sleeve 'l' downwardly to open the valve4 (see dotted lines in Fig. 3). The upper end of the cylinderisprovidedV with a vent Il to permit displacement of air when the pistonis operated upwardly. Below the cylinder |2111, the rod 2li is providedwith a collar 8:12, adjusta-bly held in position thereon by a nut |8112.The collar |851: forms an abutment for a spring lem coiled around therod 20 and interposed between the collar and the lower end of thecylinder l 2:1: and arranged to be compressed when the rod 20 movesupwardly, so that when the steam supply to the cylinder |2az-is cut off,and pressure on the piston relieved, the spring |9a: operates to movethe rod 20 downwardly to close the Valve 4. A stop is provided in thecylinder to limit the downward movement of thepiston, so that when thepiston is in its normal position, it is above the steam inlet andexhaust port. AThe collar lsc is preferably adjustably xed to the rod2|) in a predetermined position'so that when the valve 4 engages itsseat the spring |950 is under slight tension, the effect of which is toseal the valve 4 in closed position.

The agitating and feeding device 2 consists of a member fixed to a rockshaft 2| mounted in the side walls `of the off-set lb and arranged to beoscillated thereby. The agitating member 2 serves as a valve between thechute lc and compartment 5 and extends across the off-set Ib, its upperside preferably being flat so that when in normal position it closes thelower end of the chute Ic (see Fig. 3) and serves as a support for thefuel therein, but when rocked to the position shown in dotted lines(Fig. 3) it provides between its inner end and the inner end wall of theoff-set Ib an opening through which the fuel gravitates into thecompartment 5. The outer end wall of the off-set is preferably curved ona radius struck from the axis of the rock shaft 2| and the outer end ofthe agitating member 2 is curved concentric to the outer end wall of theoff-set Ib, so that no space in which the fuel can lodge, between theseparts may exist or result due to oscillation of the device 2. Themechanism I0 for operating the agitating or valve member 2 consists ofthe following: 22 indicates a disk fixed to the rock shaft 2| exteriorlyof and at one side of the off-set Ib. 22a indicates a flexible bandfrictionally engaging a portion of the periphery ofthe disk 22, theouter end of the band 'being connected to one end of an expanson spring23, the opposite end of which is fixed to an adjustable anchor 23amounted on the casing (see Fig. 2). The opposite or inner end of theband 22a is connected through a link 24 to one arm 25 of a rocker 25fulcrumed on the casing the opposite arm 25a of the rocker 25' beingdisposed inthe path of a collar I8 on the lower end of the sleeve |8a,so that when the rod |2a and sleeve move upwardly, the collar I8 willswing the rocker V25 counter-clockwise (as viewed in Fig. 2) and effecta pull on the-"inner `end ofthe band 22aagainst the tension offtiie'lspring\23 ,`whereby the disk 22 will be rotated and swing the valvemember 2 to the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 3. Upon themovement of the rod |2a downwardly, the spring 23 will rotate the disk22 and swing the rocker 25 in the opposite direction. `I1" in the returnmovement of the valve member 2, fuel becomes lodged between it and theinner end wall of the olf-set Ib, the band 22a will slip on the disk-without turning it. The outer end of the rocker arm 25a is preferablyprovided with a roller to reduce friction between it and the collar |8.`The rocker 25' is preferably provided with a laterally extending arm 25bcarrying a roller at its outer end in position to be engaged by theinner end of a rod 26. The rod 26 is screW-threadedly mounted in aninternally threaded member 21 fixedly supported on the casing |,wherebythe rod 2E may .be adjusted endwise to swing the rocker about itsfulcrum to relate the rocker arm 25a to the collar |8. By adjusting therod Vendwise inwardly, the rocker 25' will be rocked counter-clockwise(one adjusted position of the rocker being shown in dotted lines in Fig.2) and position the outer end of the rocker arm 25a in spaced relationto the collar I8` when the latter is in normalposition. Accordingly,when the rocker is adjusted as above set forth, the collar I8' willmovea predetermined distance before engaging the rocker arm 25a andoperating, the rocker. By adjusting the rod 26, the movement of therocker 25' and disk 22 can be regulated to decrease the quantity of fuelpermitted to gravitate to the compartment 5 in each operation of thevalve member 2.

The bottom annular wall 3 for the compartment 5a is preferably providedwith an annular chamber 3:1: connected with valved inlet and outletconnections 3x', whereby water may be circulated through the chamber tomaintain the wall 3` cool.` Due to contact of the adjacent ring 2a' withthe wall 3, a portion of the heat imparted to the ring 2a will beconducted to the wall 3, so that the ring 2a' is maintained relativelycool.

As will be observed the valve 40H1,` in position to be heated by thecombustion taking place in the producer, but due to the mounting of thevalves 4, 4a, I am able to provide for cooling the valve 4a in a simplemanner. As shown, the valve 4a is hollow to provide therein a chamber-4a into which the rod 8 (which is hollow as already set forth) extends.This construction permits the provision in the rod 8 of a small pipe 28suitably connected to a nipple 28a at the upper end of the rod andextending into the chamber 4a' at its lower end, the nipple 28a beingconnected to a flexible hose 28a -leading from a source of water supplyunder pressure, the water supplied to the chamber 4a being dischargedtherefroml through the pipe 8around the pipe 28 and flowing out at theupper end of the rod 8 through a nipple 28h', which is connected by aflexible hose 28221 `leading to a drain or sump.

The steam supply pipe is provided with an adjustable pressure regulatingvalve 29|, of any desired construction, arranged to be set at apredetermined pressure (preferably at 70 lbs. per square inch), wherebythe pressure of the steam supplied to the valve mechanism I6 will at alltimes be uniform. The valve mechanism I6 is preferably of the rotarytype, and driven through a suitable reduction gearing 30 by a motor 3|,which is connected in a circuit 32 to mains 33.

In the herein disclosed application of my in- Ventioirrthe circuit 32is.provided `with :a switch www.

32 which is normally opened, so that` thefmotor 3|, the valve mechanismI6 and the operating mechanism 9 are normally at rest, but provision ismade to automatically close and open; the` switch to start and stop themotor to effect voperation of these mechanisms dependenton the heat ofthe gases liowing through the ue a. For this purpose I provide in theflue a an electro-thermo couple a set to operate at a predetermineddegree of temperature, so that when these gases rise-in temperature, dueto combustion in the producer A, to or above the predetermined degree,the switch 32 will be operatedto close the circuit 32 and thus start themotor 3| in operation. The motor in turn operates the valve mechanism Iwhereby steam is supplied to the`mechanism 9 to operate the valves 4,4a, and feeder 2, in coordinated relation as already set forth, wherebyfresh fuel (coal and the like) is delivered to the compartment 5, thento the compartment 5a and iinally fed to the producer a. Theseoperations will continue until the temperature of the gases in the fluea drops to a point below the predetermined temperature, whereby theelectro-thermo couple a' will open the switch 32' and stop the motor.

The valve mechanism I6 comprises a casing I 5a having conically shapedseats into which valve elements |66, Ib, rotatably fit, the inner endsof the latter being connected together by an irregular shaped projection|60 fitting a complementary opening formed in the other element. Theelement |612 is removably connected to a fitting I 5d held in positionby a cap, I6e which is threaded into the adjacent end of the casingIlia, a suitable bearing being provided between the fitting Idand cap Ieand an expansion spring IS is provided between the bearing and theadjacent valve element to retain the latter in its seat. The valveelement I6b is mounted similarly to the valve element I6b, except thatthe fitting |601 is connected (preferably integrally) to a shaft |69,which is coupled to the shaft 33a of the reduction gearing and driventhereby. The valve element ISD is provided with aduct |693, whereas thevalve element IBb is provided with a duct Isc, these ducts being indiametrical relation. As'shown in Fig. l, the steam supply pipe IIterminates in branches IIa, Ila', each connected to a port preferablyformed in the upper wall of the Valve casing Ia. The valve casing isprovided (a) at one side with alined ports, one thereof being connectedto the pipe I5 and the other being connected to the pipe |5a and (b) atits bottom with alined ports connected to exhaust pipes |5, |59t,respectively, preferably leading to the air blast of theproducer? A. Theduct Ix is so arranged that in one position of the valve elementlbduring rotation thereof it registers with the ports for the pipes I Iaand I5V to supply steam to the cylinder I2 and in another position itregisters with the ports for the pipes I5 and |59: to permit exhaust ofthe-steamto and through the latter pipe, the ports for the` pipes I Ia,I5 and I5at being closed during the remaining rotary movement of theValve elements, whereas during the period the ports to the pipes IIa, I5and |59c are closed, the duct |632' in one position registers with theports for the pipes IfI'a and I5a to supply steam to the cylinder |29:and in another position with the port-s for the pipes |50, and I5 topermit exhaust of the steam to and through the latter pipe, the portsAfor the. pipes IIa', I5a and |59:' being closed during theremainingrotary movement, of the valve'elements; As

shown in Fig.` 5; the: valve elements |619; |611 ro,-

tate clockwise, so that the-steam is sl-llried to the cylinder [2:1: toeffect operation ofthe-Valve 4 and exhausted therefrom prior to thesupply of steam to the cylinder I2 and operation of the valves 4a, thespeed of the valve elements being so regulated that during the periodbetween the cut-olf ofthe ly, in the manner already set forth andthelinkages in turn are operatedv and controlled by electrical means tocoordinate the movements of the sleeve and rod in the manner already setforth. In this view, 34, 34a, indicate electric motors each connected byleads 35 to suitable contacts in a casing 36 having a rotary switchdevice therein driven by a motor 31, the device and motor being suppliedwith current from mains 38, the switch device serving to close onecircuit and break the circuit and then to close the other operatingconnection with the motors 34, 34a,v y respectively, are similar inconstruction and operation, so that one linkage and its connection withthe adjacent motor will be referred to, that is, the linkage |333connected to the rod. This linkage comprises a rocker 39 fulcrumed on astandard 40, and connected at its inner, endV to the rod 8. The outerend of the rocker 39 is pivotally connected to tie outer end of asectional member di, the inner end of which is pivotally connected to acrank d2- iixed to theshaft of the adjacent motor 313. The member Mconsists of an inner device lIIa of tubular'form having a reduced innerrportion Mx pivotally connected at its outer end to the crank @Zand anenlarged outer portion Msc' enclosing a coiled expansion spring I3` andan outer device Ma pivotally connected at its outer end to the outer endof the rocker 39. The device Ma is provided with a head Hb slidablyfitting the inner wall of the` enlarged portion da" of the device diaand a stem or shank Mb' which extends into and slid-` ably ts thereduced portion Mx of the device.

Ma, the spring 4-3 being interposed between the head Ib and a cap-415.which is threaded on the.v

outer end of the device Ma and through which the device ela' slidablyextends. In this arrangement, wnen current to thelmotor is cutoff, thecrank d2 is in the position shown, but due to operation of the switchdevice in the casing 33, the motor 34 is operated'to effect one rotationof its shaftl and then stopped, so that the crank d2 swings upwardly anddownwardly in making'one revolution. In the upwardy movement of thecrank 42 the power of the motor is transmitted thro-ugh the device dla,head 4Ib and device da' to the rocker 39 to move'the rod 8 downwardlyand in the downward. movement of the crank 42, the power of the'motor 34is transmittedthrough the device Ma, the engage-r ment of` the spring 43with the' head Mb servingk to insure movement of` the rocker 39therewith.

. i619 fixed to a rod |813'.

mounted in brackets 44, provided on the casing and raising of the rod 8.In this form the fuel is preferably delivered by a feed member such asshown in Figs. 2 and 3, operatively connected to a rocker 25x, which iscontrolled by a collar The rod |8b' is slidably l, the upper end of therod |812' being connected to the lower end of a link |8c, which isconnected to and operated by the crank 42 of the motor 34,`

whereby feed of the fuel is controlled in co-ordinated relation to theoperation of the rod 8; A magnetically operated brake (not shown) may beconnected in series in the circuit for each motor 34, 34a, to insurestoppage thereof at the end of each rotation upon cut-off of the currentin the circuit.

Fig. a illustrates a modified form of construction for feeding 4fuelfrom the chute Ic to the compartment 5. The upper side of the feedmember 22m is concave and its ,opposite walls are concentric to theouter end wall of the offset Ib. The device 22a: is fixed to a rockshaft 2|:c provided with a lever 45, the outer end of which is connectedthrough a coiled spring 23x to an adjustable anchor 23a', the oppositeend of the lever 45 being connected to the rocker 25', which is operatedin the manner set forth in connection with the rocker 25' shown in Figs.1 and 2. In this form of construction the feed member 22:1: ispositively operated in one direction by the rocker 25 and in theopposite direction by the spring 23:1: which is strong enough to insurereturn movement of the member 22x to its normal position.

Provision is made for stopping the motor 3| at a predetermined positioncorresponding to that angular cut-off position of the valve elements|617, IGb, wherein the steam supplied to the cylinders |2, |2, has beenexhausted and the pistons therein are in normal position. For thispurpose I provide auxiliary cut-off means, indicated as entirety at 5l)(Fig. 1), for controlling the motor 3 I, whereby it continues inoperation, following the opening of the valve 32' in the manner alreadyset forth. Of the auxiliary cut-off means 50, 50a

indicates a separate circuit connected in the main circuit 32, in shuntrelation to the switch 32 and supplying current to the motor andconnected to suitable contacts in a switch box h, the circuit Silaacross these contacts being normally closed by a spring operated movablecontact 59h', which when operated breaks the circuit 50a. The contact58h is normally disposed in the path of movement of the throw providedon a cam 5|, which is adjustably xed in any desired manner to the shaft|69, so that in each rotation ofthe latter the circuit is opened andclosed. So long as the main circuit 32 is closed by the switch 32 andthe motor 3| is operating to effect operation of the mechanism 9, theopening and closing of the separate circuit 50a in the manner above setforth will be ineffective, but following the operation of the switch 32'to open the main circuit 32, the motor 3| will continue to run until thecam 5| operates the contact 5|b' and breaks the circuit 50a. From theforegoing descriptiongit will i be observed Athat the auxiliary cut-ofi.means 50 'i prevents stoppage of the mechanism 9 at ',atime when eitherpiston in the cylinders 2, |2x','is`at' i of the invention will suggestthemselves without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. Mydisclosures and the description herein are purely illustrative and arenot to be in any sense limiting.

What I claim is:

.1.. In apparatus of the class described,l the com bination with a gasproducer, of an inverted casing the open end of which is related to thecom bustion chamber of said producer, spaced upper and lower annularwalls carried by the side walls of said casing, valves tting said wallsand form ing therewith upper and lower compartments, chute for fuel,mechanism for feeding fuel from said chute to said upper compartment,valve operating members slidably mounted in the top wall of said casingfor movement rectilineally axiallyJ of said annular walls, one of saidmembers conssting of a sleeve extending through said wall and connectedto the valve fo-r said upper compartment and the other member consistingof a rod slidably tting said sleeve and extending therethrough andconnected to the valve for said lower compartment, separate iiuidoperated means for operating said members in one direction, said iiuidoperated means consisting of a cylinder, a rod slidably extendingtherethrough and connected at its inner end to the adjacent valveoperating member and provided with a piston reciprocable in saidcylinder, an abutment carried by the outer end of said last mentionedrod and a spring interposed between said abutment and said cylinder formoving said rod to operate the adjacent member in the oppositedirection, and means for supplying fluid to each of said cylinders tocontrol the operation of said members in co-ordinated relation andrelative to each other.

2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the fluid supply meansincludes a valve mechanism for supplying uid to one cylinder and itsexhaust therefrom during the period that the supply of the fluid to theother cylinder is cut off.

3. In apparatus of the class described, the oombination of a casingrelated to a combustion chamber and having spaced upper and lowerannular walls therein, valves fitting said walls and forming therewithupper and lower compartments, a chute for fuel, mechanism for feedingfuel from said chute to said upper compartment, a sleeve mounted in thetop wall of said casing for movement rectilineally axially of saidannular walls and extending through said wall and connected to the valvefor said upper compartment, a rod slidably fitting said sleeve andextending therethrough and connected to the valve for said lowercompartment, mechanism for moving said sleeve and rod in one directionto move said valves into engagement with said annular walls, and fluidoperated means for operating said sleeve and rod in the oppositedirection in co-ordinated relation and relative to each other, saidmeans including a valve mechanism for controlling the supply of fluid tosaid fiuid operated means and exhaust of the fluid therefrom, saidcontrollingr means consisting of a motor, a source of electric j currentsupply, main and separate circuits for said 'motor connected to electricsupply source, means w for opening and closing said main circuit andmeans controlled by said motor for opening said separate circuit in apredetermined position of said fluid operated means.

DWIGHT M. PALM.

